GB2436824A - Leveller and frictional propulsion aid for trailers and caravans - Google Patents

Leveller and frictional propulsion aid for trailers and caravans Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2436824A
GB2436824A GB0606474A GB0606474A GB2436824A GB 2436824 A GB2436824 A GB 2436824A GB 0606474 A GB0606474 A GB 0606474A GB 0606474 A GB0606474 A GB 0606474A GB 2436824 A GB2436824 A GB 2436824A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
roller
lead screw
leveller
tyre
automatic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0606474A
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GB0606474D0 (en
GB2436824B (en
Inventor
Mark Darren Shaw
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0606474A priority Critical patent/GB2436824B/en
Publication of GB0606474D0 publication Critical patent/GB0606474D0/en
Publication of GB2436824A publication Critical patent/GB2436824A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2436824B publication Critical patent/GB2436824B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S9/00—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks
    • B60S9/14—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for both lifting and manoeuvring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S9/00—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks
    • B60S9/02—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for only lifting or supporting
    • B60S9/04—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for only lifting or supporting mechanically
    • B60S9/06—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for only lifting or supporting mechanically of screw-and-nut type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S9/00—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks
    • B60S9/14—Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks for both lifting and manoeuvring
    • B60S9/205—Power driven manoeuvring fittings, e.g. reciprocably driven steppers or rotatably driven cams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D59/00—Trailers with driven ground wheels or the like
    • B62D59/04—Trailers with driven ground wheels or the like driven from propulsion unit on trailer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K7/00—Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel
    • B60K7/0007—Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel the motor being electric

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

A system comprises an automatic leveller and a remotely controllable electric lead screw actuator. The system is provided to move a drive aid roller on and off a tyre using a lead screw fitted on to a motor, to drive the roller closer to the wheel or tyre. The actuator drive motor rotates the lead screw. As the lead screw turns, it pushes the power drive motor and gear onto the roller gear, which then pushes the roller into the tyre of the trailer or caravan. Then, if the power drive motor rotates, the roller will then turn, rotating the tyre. When the actuator drive motor rotates the lead screw in the opposite direction, the roller retracts away from the tyre, disengages the roller gear and engages the leveller gear. Then, if the power drive motor rotates, the leveller gear will turn, raising or lowering the leveller. The motors are driven forwardly and in reverse by a radio frequency handset, which is controlled by the base unit which receives the radio signal from the handset and translates the signal into the required command. A gear is mounted to the power drive motor, which is mounted to a movable plate (2), the gear selectively engaging the roller gear or the leveller gear. The system may be applied to self propelled vehicles.

Description

2436824
Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller Background
Drive-aid (mover) for not-self driven vehicles, in particular trailers or caravans, are well known in the caravan industry and comprise of a friction roller placed against a tyre by hand through a lever mechanism, allowing the user to manoeuvre the vehicle. The force required to manually push the roller against the wheel is difficult and with allot of elderly people using drive-aid movers, the effort required to engage the roller is often too great.
Accompanied with this, is the difficulty of levelling (making the floor horizontal) the not-self driven vehicle, in particular trailers or caravans, especially for the elderly. The levelling of a caravan is important as living in an uneven space can be difficult.
Adding additional devices/machinery to a trailer or caravan will affect the extra weight the caravan or trailer can hold. It is important to keep the weight of any additional devices/machinery down to minimum so it does not affect the operational use or performance of the not-self driven vehicle (i.e. trailers, caravans etc.).
Essential Technical Features
The lead screw is used to propel the roller into the wheel/tyre, by rotating the lead screw with an electric motor (Actuator Drive Motor) to push plate 2, which has the power drive motor and the power-drive-motor-gear mounted to it, into the front of plate 3 and the roller-gear, which in-turn locates the teeth in the gear and pushes the roller towards the tyre, see Figure 3. When the roller is engaged against the tyre the power drive motor (electric motor), rotates the roller and hence the tyre, manoeuvring the not-self driven vehicle, in particular trailers or caravans in the required direction.
If the electric motor (Actuator Drive Motor) rotates the lead screw in the opposite direction, it pulls plate 2 away from the front of plate 3 and into the rear of plate 3 and into the leveller-gear, see Figure 2. When the power drive motor (electric motor), operates it drives the leveller lead screw, which raises or lowers the leveller (scissor action).
You will be able to switch on the 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' by either using the portable RF (Radio Frequency) handset or an isolator switch fitted in-line with a battery, powering the controller and/or receiver on the vehicle. Once the handset (transmitter) has been switched on it will allow the roller to move on/off the wheel by pressing a button/s and or allow the automatic leveller to raise or lower. If the battery should fail in the hand-set, a cable is provided to link the transmitter to the receiver allowing the handset to operate the receiver.
The actuator lead screw is designed to protect the thread of the screw when disengaged 'closed', see Figure 1 and Figure 5. Being protected (encapsulated) when closed helps keep the thread clean and stops dirt damaging the mechanics of the actuator-lead-screw when the not-self driven vehicle, in particular trailers or caravans are being towed on the road.
<3-
The lead screw and motor can easily be powered by hand, by rotating a shaft connected to the lead screw and or motor if the motor or battery should fail.
The benefits of the 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller':
• The actuator lead screw allows constant pressure to be applied against the tyre.
• The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and/or Automatic Leveller' can be operated by an RF handset or wired directly.
• If the motor or battery fails the 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and/or Automatic Leveller' can be operated by hand, by over powering the motor using a shaft connected to the Lead Screw.
• The design of the actuator lead screw allows the thread of the screw to be protected when the unit for not-self driven vehicles (i.e. trailers, caravans etc.), is disengaged, thus protecting the thread of the screw when the trailer or caravan is being pulled on the road. This in-turn protects the mechanics of the 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller'.
• With the 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller'
being designed in one unit, using the Power-Drive-Motor to propel the roller and the leveller, it saves on the weight of the unit, which is most important when considering adding additional accessories to the chassis of the trailer or caravan.
Diagrams
A Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1: Side view. Showing the power-drive-motor engaged to the leveller-gear, with the roller away from the tyre (disengaged). The actuator-lead-screw is retraced and protected from the elements. If the power drive motor is driven in this position it will rotate the leveller-lead-screw and raise or lower the leveller (scissor action).
The picture also tries to shows the three separate fabricated plates, Plate 1 outlined in black, Plate 2 outlined in green and Plate 3 outlined in red.
Figure 2: As figure 1, but showing the roller and the tyre.
Figure 3: Side view. Showing the power-drive-motor engaged to the roller-gear, pushing the roller against the tyre. The actuator-lead-screw is extended. If the power-drive-motor is driven in this position it will rotate the roller-gear and the roller.
Figure 4: Side view. Showing the lead-screw extended with the roller against the tyre. The picture also shows plates 1,2 and 3.
Figure 5: Side view. Showing the lead-screw disengaged with the roller away from the tyre. The picture also shows plates 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 6: End view. Showing the actuator-drive-motor with attached gear, engaging and disengaging the unit.
(
3
When the leveller leveller-lead-screw is rotated it raises or lowers the leveller (scissor action). The rotation of the leveller-lead-screw is decided by the power-drive-motor which turns the power-drive-motor-gear.
Figure 7: End view. Showing the three separate fabricated plates, Plate 1 outlined in black, Plate 2 outlined in green and Plate 3 outlined in red. The picture also shows the power-drive-motor and the actuator-drive-motor.
Figure 8: Showing the Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller being operated by remote control, highlighting the transmitter and receiver.
Figure 9: Showing the Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller being operated by the handset using the umbilical lead.
4-

Claims (15)

Claims 1. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' to be used on a drive-aid (mover), comprising of an electric motor which drives a lead screw to either drive the unit forward/reverse or raise/lower the self-driven vehicle by using a RF handset which can be directly wired to the base unit fitted on a not-self driven vehicle, in particular trailers and caravans, containing a propulsion unit, lead screw means using a screw thread which rotates in one direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise) pushing the roller on/off the tyre to create a positive force on the roller gear or engaging the automatic leveller, RF means for transmitting a Radio Frequency signal representative of the location of the roller relative to the wheel or position of the automatic leveller, base unit (receiver) means electronic box, controlling the motors and receiving the signal from the remote handset (transmitter), not-self driven vehicle means a vehicle that is manufactured not to be driven and/or the driver is not in the vehicle (remote from the vehicle) when it is moving i.e. caravan, trailer etc... 2. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Power Drive Motor controls the roller or the automatic leveller depending on either the unit is engaged or disengaged, engaged meaning the roller is on the wheel and disengaged meaning that the roller is away from the tyre. 3. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Lead Screw is constructed so that the thread of the screw/s are protected from dust and dirt when disengaged. (See Figure 5 showing the lead screw disengaged, Figure 4 shows the lead screw extended). 4. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiver controls the Automatic Leveller allowing the vehicle (caravan or trailer) to become level, horizontal, flat. By raising/lowering the leveller by rotating the leveller lead screw clockwise/anticlockwise. 5. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electric motor (actuator drive roller) runs in a forward direction to place the roller on the wheel and reversed to release the roller off the wheel. 6. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the battery powered base unit (receiver) or motor fails the Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and/or Automatic Leveller can be manually rotated. 7. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring and/or the tyre acts as a resistance against the unit and creates friction between the roller and the tyre. 8. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 is controlled through a remote RF handset (transmitter) by pressing a button/s to place the roller/s on/off the wheel/s. 9. The 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' as claimed in claim 1 can be controlled through a handset directly wired to the base unit by pressing a button/s operate the roller/s on/off the wheel/s. 5 Retracted is when the roller is away from the tyre and the Automatic Leveller is up, thus allowing the self-driven vehicle to move by another source and not by the roller rotating the tyre. 10. A 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the actuator and leveller are placed in the same fabrication and use the same electronic transmitter and/or receiver. 11. A 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the 'receiver' (base unit) which is mounted on the self driven vehicle can send and receive RF signals. 12. A 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the 'transmitter' which is a hand-held unit can send and receive RF signals. 13. A 'Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and Automatic Leveller' system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-9 of the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: (o Claims
1. A system, suitable for attachment to a vehicle, the system comprising of a lead screw, an electric motor for driving the lead screw forward and reverse, a handset, a roller, a receiver, a further motor and levelling means suitable for levelling the vehicle by raising and/or lowering at least part of the vehicle, wherein:
a. The lead screw is rotated in one direction by the electric motor to allow the further motor to drive the roller, the roller being indirectly movable by the electric motor into a position suitable for transmitting drive to a tyre of the vehicle, for propulsion and/or manoeuvring of the vehicle, and b. The lead screw is rotated in the opposite direction to remove the roller from the tyre, to cause engagement to occur which allows the levelling means to be driven by the further motor, and c. The handset is a user input device comprising of a receiver and/or a transmitter for receiving and/or sending radio signals to the base unit for remote/radio control of the system, and d. The handset is connectable by wiring to the system as a selectable alternative to radio signal transmission.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tyre of the vehicle is a caravan, a trailer or other non-self-propelled vehicle.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Power Drive Motor controls the roller or the automatic leveller depending on either the unit is engaged or disengaged, engaged meaning the roller is on the wheel and disengaged meaning that the roller is away from the tyre.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Lead Screw is constructed so that the thread of the screw/s are protected from dust and dirt when disengaged.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiver controls the Automatic Leveller allowing the vehicle (caravan or trailer) to become level, horizontal, flat. By raising/lowering the leveller by rotating the leveller lead screw clockwise/anticlockwise.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electric motor runs in a forward direction to place the roller on the wheel and reversed to release the roller off the wheel.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the battery powered base unit, receiver or motor fails the Remote Electric Lead Screw Actuator and/or Automatic Leveller can be manually rotated.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring and/or the tyre acts as a resistance against the unit and creates friction between the roller and the tyre.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1 is controlled through a remote RF handset, transmitter by pressing a button/s to place the roller/s on/off the wheel/s.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 can be controlled through a handset directly wired to the base unit by pressing a button/s operate the roller/s on/off the wheel/s.
11. The system where retracted is when the roller is away from the tyre and the Automatic Leveller is up, thus allowing the self-driven vehicle to move by another source and not by the roller rotating the tyre.
1
12. The system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the actuator and leveller are placed in the same fabrication and use the same electronic transmitter and/or receiver.
13. The system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the 'receiver' base unit which is mounted on the self driven vehicle can send and receive RF signals.
14. The system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the 'transmitter' which is a hand-held unit can send and receive RF signals.
15. The system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-9 of the accompanying drawings.
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GB0606474A 2006-03-31 2006-03-31 Electric lead screw actuator and automatic leveller Expired - Fee Related GB2436824B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0606474A GB2436824B (en) 2006-03-31 2006-03-31 Electric lead screw actuator and automatic leveller

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0606474A GB2436824B (en) 2006-03-31 2006-03-31 Electric lead screw actuator and automatic leveller

Publications (3)

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GB0606474D0 GB0606474D0 (en) 2006-05-10
GB2436824A true GB2436824A (en) 2007-10-10
GB2436824B GB2436824B (en) 2008-06-11

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2000830C2 (en) * 2007-08-23 2009-02-24 Reich Gmbh Auxiliary drive.
GB2466064A (en) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-16 Mark Darren Shaw Slide mounting for on-board mover to engage trailer tyre
GB2510574A (en) * 2013-02-07 2014-08-13 Direct Drive Mover A drive unit for trailers
EP2455276B1 (en) 2008-06-25 2018-07-18 Alois Kober GmbH Auxiliary drive
US20220042331A1 (en) * 2020-08-07 2022-02-10 Peri Gmbh Striking tool and method

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6194825A (en) * 1984-10-15 1986-05-13 Mazda Motor Corp Low-cost auxiliary driving device for car
EP1225090A2 (en) * 2001-01-19 2002-07-24 Carver plc Apparatus for moving vehicles such as caravans and trailers
EP1714859A1 (en) * 2005-04-18 2006-10-25 Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH &amp; Co. KG Compact auxiliary drive for a trailer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6194825A (en) * 1984-10-15 1986-05-13 Mazda Motor Corp Low-cost auxiliary driving device for car
EP1225090A2 (en) * 2001-01-19 2002-07-24 Carver plc Apparatus for moving vehicles such as caravans and trailers
EP1714859A1 (en) * 2005-04-18 2006-10-25 Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH &amp; Co. KG Compact auxiliary drive for a trailer

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2000830C2 (en) * 2007-08-23 2009-02-24 Reich Gmbh Auxiliary drive.
EP2028086A1 (en) 2007-08-23 2009-02-25 Reich GmbH Auxiliary drive
EP2455276B1 (en) 2008-06-25 2018-07-18 Alois Kober GmbH Auxiliary drive
EP2455275B1 (en) 2008-06-25 2020-09-16 Alois Kober GmbH Auxiliary drive
GB2466064A (en) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-16 Mark Darren Shaw Slide mounting for on-board mover to engage trailer tyre
GB2466064B (en) * 2008-12-12 2011-01-12 Mark Darren Shaw Caravan/tailer mover with tubular/bar sliding mechanism
GB2510574A (en) * 2013-02-07 2014-08-13 Direct Drive Mover A drive unit for trailers
GB2510574B (en) * 2013-02-07 2015-08-05 Direct Drive Mover A drive unit for trailers
US20220042331A1 (en) * 2020-08-07 2022-02-10 Peri Gmbh Striking tool and method
US11834852B2 (en) * 2020-08-07 2023-12-05 Peri Se Striking tool and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0606474D0 (en) 2006-05-10
GB2436824B (en) 2008-06-11

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130331